Verdict in Rana case not a setback to India: Government

Government today said the verdict in the Tahawwur Rana case in a US court, holding the Pakistani-Canadian not guilty for the Mumbai attacks, is not a setback as India does not rely overtly on prosecution of terror suspects in other countries.

Government on Friday said the verdict in the Tahawwur Rana case in a US court, holding the Pakistani-Canadian not guilty for the Mumbai attacks, is not a setback as India does not rely overtly on prosecution of terror suspects in other countries.

"I do not see it as a setback as our case (India) is still under investigation," Secretary, Internal Security in the Ministry of Home Affairs, UK Bansal told reporters here.

Bansal said, "Prosecution in India against Rana and his co-accused David Headley depends on our own investigations which is being done by Indian investigating agencies.

"In our handling of terrorism in India, we do not rely overtly on prosecution in other countries. We have to rely on our own strength," he said.

Bansal said government will go to the court against the 26/11 accused with its own investigation.

"The issue is still under investigation. When the probe is over, we will produce the evidence in the court," he said.

Bansal said whenever any probe agency pursues a case in court it always hope that it will succeed.

Rana was acquitted by a Chicago court on charges of plotting the Mumbai attacks but was found guilty of supporting Pakistan-based terror group LeT and planning a strike in Denmark.

The National Investigation Agency is likely to file a charge sheet against Headley and Rana in the 26/11 case and the probe is currently going on.

The Bombay High Court had in February this year upheld the trial court verdict sentencing Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab to death for the 26/11 attacks.